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Ethnic Enrichment Festival This Weekend

Earlier this week, we were proud to share the IRC's Midyear Update with you. We appreciate those who let us know that the link to the report wasn't working. Please follow this link » to see what we've been up to over the last twelve months and where we're headed, and consider making a donation » to support our ongoing efforts to raise a global perspective in the greater Kansas City metro area. We truly appreciate your generosity.

If you have some time this weekend and are looking for a family-friendly event, think about heading to Swope Park on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for the 39th annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival ». The IRC will have a booth there, as will dozens of countries and cultures. You'll have the chance to sample international delicacies, admire global handiwork, and enjoy performances throughout the festival. Admission is $5. If you're interested in spending time at the IRC's booth, we could still use a few volunteers; please sign up here », and April will be in touch with you.

School registration for the Your Global Future college and career fair for high-school students seeking global opportunities will open soon, but registration for businesses and organizations » is open now. Please join us on Tuesday, October 16, as area students discover just how global their futures can be, and do pass along the information to others who might be interested.

Please don't miss the other upcoming events listed below, including a Thai cooking class and a visit from the Washington director for Human Rights Watch, both in September. See you soon!

Family EventVisit the IRC at the Ethnic Enrichment Festival – Friday-Sunday, August 17-19 – Swope Park
Feel the world beat in the heart of America. This event is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country and features more than 60 different cultures selling their native foods, crafts and performing ethnic music and dances. The festival is held during the third full weekend of August near the front entrance of historic Swope Park. For more information, visit the Ethnic Enrichment Commission website ». Be sure to swing by the IRC's booth to say hello and learn more about our upcoming programs. To sign up to volunteer at the IRC's booth (and receive complimentary admission), please visit this spreadsheet ».

IRC Member Benefit Cover to Cover: Ambassador Vicki Huddleston Our Woman in Havana– Wednesday, August 22 – 1-1:30 p.m. – via conference callPeeling back the "Sugar Curtain" to examine several decades of stormy relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Vicki Huddleston », the top diplomat in Havana under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, provides an essential memoir. Huddleston recounts missed opportunities for detente and the myths and misconceptions that have long pervaded the U.S.-Cuban standoff. Her perspectives on the Obama administration's diplomatic opening of 2014, the mysterious "sonic" brain and hearing injuries suffered by American and Canadian diplomats who were serving in Havana, and the Trump administration's reversal of the Obama opening, are nuanced and well presented. Huddleston also peers into the future, when for the first time in more than six decades no one named Castro will be Cuba's leader. The IRC is pleased to be able to offer this opportunity as a benefit for IRC members. To check your membership status or register for the call, please contact contact Matthew ».

Registration OpenGlobal Experience: Thai Cooking Class – Tuesday, September 4 – 6-8 p.m. – NourishKCThe IRC's Global Experience series asks, "What's your global story? Do you get the chance to share it?" Join the IRC as we get hands-on cooking instruction from our friends at the Thai Cultural Center of Greater Kansas City, an organizational member of the IRC. After the food is made, be sure to stick around to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Please notify the IRC of any dietary restrictions no later than Tuesday, August 28. Due to kitchen regulations, attendance for this event is capped at 20 participants. Registration will close on Tuesday, August 28. Read more and register »

Registration OpenYour Global Future – Tuesday, October 16 – 9-3 p.m. – Union StationAway from the borders and coasts, Kansas City-area students are often surprised to find just how many international academic and professional opportunities await them after high school. This unique college and career fair will bring together dozens of international businesses, organizations, and colleges and universities to show students just how global their future can be. The program will be underwritten by support from the participating organizations and generous Kansas City-area donors to ensure that attendance is completely cost-free for teachers and students. Sponsor packages to increase visibility and impact are available, and schools will be eligible to receive up to $200 to offset the cost of bus transportation. Read more here ».

Registration Opening SoonWhat Do You Owe the World? – Tuesday, October 30 – 7-9 p.m. – Jewish Community Campus
The IRC is proud to support the Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City to provide a civil environment for thoughtful discussions about critical issues addressing the question: What do you owe the world? The speaker for this event is Dr. Shannon French, Inamori professor of ethics and director of the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University. Read more here »

OTHER INTERNATIONAL EVENTS IN KANSAS CITY

Does your business or organization have an upcoming event that could be of interest to IRC members? To have your event considered for inclusion in future IRC newsletters, please contact Matthew Hughes ».

Dinner-Dance: 45th Anniversary of Sister City Relationship Between Kansas City and Morelia (Mexico), presented by the Kansas City Sister Cities AssociationSaturday, August 18– 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m. – Intercontinental Hotel at the Plaza

The Great War through Children’s Eyes: Propaganda and Every Day Life in the Hapsburg Monarchy, presented by the Czech & Slovak Club of Kansas City
Friday, September 7 – 9-10:30 a.m. – Whistle Stop Room, Truman Library

First Friday Reception: Czechs & Slovaks on their Difficult Road to Peace and Independence, presented by the Czech & Slovak Club of Kansas CityFriday, September 7 – 5-9 p.m. – Buttonwood Art Space

Mid-America Trade Summit, presented by the International Trade Center
Wednesday-Thursday, November 14-15 – University of Missouri, Columbia

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Call for Submissions: Peace JournalismThe Center for Global Peace Journalism seeks submissions on peace journalism initiatives, research, and more. General submissions about peace projects are not accepted unless they entail a media angle. Submissions should be 500-1,500 words, and sent to Steven Youngblood (editor of The Peace Journalist and director of the Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University) by Friday, September 7. Photos are welcome. For more about the magazine, and our Center for Global Peace Journalism, please see www.park.edu/peacecenter ».

Call for Proposals: Educational Equity and Human Rights Annual ConferenceGlobal and Multicultural Education (G.A.M.E.) seeks proposals for their October 5, 2018 conference at the Crossroads Academy. The G.A.M.E. Conference on Educational Equity and Human Rights will bring together educators, parents, and community members to build capacity, knowledge, and skills to transform education and improve student outcomes. The conference will offer sessions that engage participants in learning about tools, strategies, and new research for improving practices and policies to close the achievement gap and increase access to high quality education.For more information, please see the website » here or email info@kcglobalconcepts.org ».

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN KANSAS CITYDo you know of a volunteer opportunity that would allow IRC members to work with individuals from a variety of countries and cultures or that focuses on international topics or global issues? To have the opportunity considered for inclusion in the Volunteer Center or future IRC newsletters, please contact Matthew Hughes ».

These are just a sampling of international volunteer opportunities in Kansas City. Visit the Volunteer Center » for more one-time and ongoing opportunities to support international initiatives.

The Simulations Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to reinforcing social studies concepts of economics, political science, and geography by providing hands-on learning experiences. During the World Crisis simulation, students participate as a country-team to re-establish international trade with other student country-teams and then are challenged by a global economic or political crisis. The Simulations Center is looking for high school students interested in government, international affairs, business/economics, or journalism to participate in our testing as we grow World Crisis from a classroom experience into a large multi-school simulation event. Please contact Ray Barbosa (ray.barbosa@simulationscenter.org) to sign up or to learn more.

Career Jumping and Career Speaking
Are you a professional with an internationally focused career? Consider volunteering with Career Jumping or Career Seeking, organized by Prep-KC. Career Jumping is a fast-paced career exploration experience (set up like speed-dating) where professionals talk with 3-5 students in eight-minute increments to share their stories. Career Speakers talk with students about their career pathway and how school is relevant to their future. Volunteers rotate through multiple classrooms for approximately 15 minutes each. We are seeking professionals from all fields. Read more and register ».

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Learn a Language with Pronunciator Brought to you by the Kansas City Public Library, Pronunciator offers phrase tutorials for over 80 languages, including ESL. Courses are available for English speakers or for native speakers of 50 other languages. Learn on a desktop or access from your mobile device. Click here to access this resource ».

World Affairs Councils of America National Conference: Braving the New World OrderFor nearly three decades, the WACA National Conference has brought World Affairs Council leaders and members to engage with top government officials, diplomats, business executives, innovators, journalists, educators, and students on the most pressing global issues and policy choices that impact our lives. By attending this year's WACA Conference in Washington, DC, you will benefit from: Expert opinions, timely insights, and audience dialogue about the United States' role in the world Access to extraordinary speakers, thought leaders, and ambassadors available for local Council programming Bipartisan, diverse, and inclusive perspectives on the Administration’s "America First" philosophy Visits to think tanks and embassies, networking receptions, and dinners Professional development, leadership training, mentoring, and peer-to-peer networking. Click here for more information and to register ».